Another well question

Onthesauk · Jun 6, 2006

Really kind of a reality check. I have a low flow well that fills a couple of storage tanks. Pump has been going on eradicatly, something that was solved by a new pump controller a couple of years ago. Had a new pump guy look at it. He popped the lid off the control box, stuck his meter on and tells me my pump is going bad. The pump was not running, should be drawing no power and I'm not sure I understand how he determined the pump was the problem. He also says the average life of a pump is 7 to 10 years. I some how had it in the back of my mind that 20+ years was more common, (although will admit the on and off of a low flow well could shorten the life.) Am I way off base here? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Onthesauk · Jun 6, 2006

Really kind of a reality check. I have a low flow well that fills a couple of storage tanks. Pump has been going on eradicatly, something that was solved by a new pump controller a couple of years ago. Had a new pump guy look at it. He popped the lid off the control box, stuck his meter on and tells me my pump is going bad. The pump was not running, should be drawing no power and I'm not sure I understand how he determined the pump was the problem. He also says the average life of a pump is 7 to 10 years. I some how had it in the back of my mind that 20+ years was more common, (although will admit the on and off of a low flow well could shorten the life.) Am I way off base here? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

TOMDUALLY · Jun 6, 2006

The first thing I would check out is to see if your pressure tank is water logged. If it is a pressurized tank, turn off your pump then drain all water presure from it, then check the air pressure it shoud be set at 5lbs. below cut in pressure. In other words if your pump is set to come on at 40 then put 35lbs of air into it to precharge it. IF THAT NOT THE PROBELM.Then look into the control box there should be two black capacitors in it take these to a pump place and have them checked. one of them might be weak . this is assuming you have a deep well pump. Hope this helps.

TOMDUALLY · Jun 6, 2006

The first thing I would check out is to see if your pressure tank is water logged. If it is a pressurized tank, turn off your pump then drain all water presure from it, then check the air pressure it shoud be set at 5lbs. below cut in pressure. In other words if your pump is set to come on at 40 then put 35lbs of air into it to precharge it. IF THAT NOT THE PROBELM.Then look into the control box there should be two black capacitors in it take these to a pump place and have them checked. one of them might be weak . this is assuming you have a deep well pump. Hope this helps.

Onthesauk · Jun 6, 2006

Pressure tank is being filled by a second pump in the storage tanks and that one works just fine.

Well is about 50+ feet deep and run from the well head to the house is probably another 60 feet in rise over 400 feet so total head of approximately 110 feet.

Onthesauk · Jun 6, 2006

Pressure tank is being filled by a second pump in the storage tanks and that one works just fine.

Well is about 50+ feet deep and run from the well head to the house is probably another 60 feet in rise over 400 feet so total head of approximately 110 feet.

bugstruck · Jun 7, 2006

See page 15 of the linked file. Goulds pump link He was likely checking the resistance across the leads. You can diagnose pump problems that way.

bugstruck · Jun 7, 2006

See page 15 of the linked file. Goulds pump link He was likely checking the resistance across the leads. You can diagnose pump problems that way.

Egon · Jun 7, 2006

As not all pumps are created equally so to is well water of different quality.

The life of the pump will depend on it's components quality, the type of duty cycles it see's, and the minerals in the water being pumped.

A surface check of resistence can indicate a problem. Amperage draw when running is a better indicator.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Jun 7, 2006

As not all pumps are created equally so to is well water of different quality.

The life of the pump will depend on it's components quality, the type of duty cycles it see's, and the minerals in the water being pumped.

A surface check of resistence can indicate a problem. Amperage draw when running is a better indicator.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MadReferee · Jun 7, 2006

I have a 4" Goulds submersible 2-wire pump (3/4hp I think). Life expectancy is 7-10 years for typical residential use and that is about what I get out of my pumps. As was earlier said, cycle times and water quality will play a factor in pump life.

MadReferee · Jun 7, 2006

I have a 4" Goulds submersible 2-wire pump (3/4hp I think). Life expectancy is 7-10 years for typical residential use and that is about what I get out of my pumps. As was earlier said, cycle times and water quality will play a factor in pump life.

John47 · Jun 7, 2006

A resistance check of a motor doesn't tell anyone very much, unless it's an open circuit. An insulation test of the windings doe's tell a lot!
Then a current test with an ammeter tells almost the whole story.

Mines a one and a half horse at 500 feet depth, should show 10 amps when running.

The pump guy probably was checking insulation, which maybe was starting to show low! If so, the pumps seals have failed, allowing water to enter the windings.

(industrial electrician for 43 years)

John47 · Jun 7, 2006

A resistance check of a motor doesn't tell anyone very much, unless it's an open circuit. An insulation test of the windings doe's tell a lot!
Then a current test with an ammeter tells almost the whole story.

Mines a one and a half horse at 500 feet depth, should show 10 amps when running.

The pump guy probably was checking insulation, which maybe was starting to show low! If so, the pumps seals have failed, allowing water to enter the windings.

(industrial electrician for 43 years)

Bedlam · Jun 7, 2006

This is unrelated I think to your particular problem. But Id like to add something to the subject of pump problems.In cases some come here and can use it.
If the pressures go haywire,alwasy chect the pressure switch diaphram end for crude, and the nipple that feeds it.
I just wanteds to pass this along, as my neightbor spent an unbelievable amount of money with a well company, and come to find out it was crud buildup.
Good Luck
Allan

Bedlam · Jun 7, 2006

This is unrelated I think to your particular problem. But Id like to add something to the subject of pump problems.In cases some come here and can use it.
If the pressures go haywire,alwasy chect the pressure switch diaphram end for crude, and the nipple that feeds it.
I just wanteds to pass this along, as my neightbor spent an unbelievable amount of money with a well company, and come to find out it was crud buildup.
Good Luck
Allan

bugstruck · Jun 7, 2006

I thought they were checking for dead short or water infiltration with the resistance test Goulds listed. I'm a lay guy on electric so maybe I'm /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Nothing new in that. They were testing motor leads to ground as I recall. My thinking was that water present in the wrong area would change the values?

Wonder why they don't just throw an ampmeter on it? Maybe cause it's harry homeowner reading the brochure and he ain't got one? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bugstruck · Jun 7, 2006

I thought they were checking for dead short or water infiltration with the resistance test Goulds listed. I'm a lay guy on electric so maybe I'm /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Nothing new in that. They were testing motor leads to ground as I recall. My thinking was that water present in the wrong area would change the values?

Wonder why they don't just throw an ampmeter on it? Maybe cause it's harry homeowner reading the brochure and he ain't got one? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Onthesauk · Jun 7, 2006

Thanks for all the replies. Guess I'll go ahead and replace the pump. Just don't know enough about the issue to have a real comfort level with it but can't do without water.

Onthesauk · Jun 7, 2006

Thanks for all the replies. Guess I'll go ahead and replace the pump. Just don't know enough about the issue to have a real comfort level with it but can't do without water.